We’ve Answered Your Most Asked Skincare Questions

How do I know what skin type I have? 

We ask our clients this very simple question: what would your skin look and feel like by midday if you only washed your face and applied no moisturiser? If by midday you felt really dry and uncomfortable and tight like your skin was a size too small for your bones, chances are you are really dry. 

If by midday you are comfortable in the t-zone, maybe a little bit shiny but still really dry and uncomfortable on the sides of your face, you are combination. 

If you feel comfortable on the sides of your face but quite shiny and a little bit oily on the t-zone, you have an oily to combination skin type and if you are oily all over by midday you have oily skin. 

At Clinique, we have numbers on our products that correlate to that skin type. So, number 1 will refer to very dry to dry skin, number 2 refers to combination skin, number 3 is oily combination skin and number 4 is oily skin. 

Men’s skins are different. The epidermis is a lot thicker and because of facial hair the skin is more oily and due to shaving, the skin can be a lot more sensitive. So, at Clinique, we have a whole range which is called Clinique For Men and these products have been specially formulated just for them.

Party season is approaching, what’s the best hack for looking like I’ve had 8 hours of sleep?

Maybe an afternoon nap? Just joking! At Clinique, I would say it’s all about hydration, hydration, hydration. I recommend for that skin SOS to use the Moisture Surge 100-H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. It is nutrient-rich with aloe vera bio-ferment and hyaluronic acid and this penetrates the skin, 10 layers deep to provide up to 100 hours of hydration even after washing your face. We tend to sometimes forget about the eyes and did you know the skin around the eyes is so much thinner and the moisture barrier is very different to that on the rest of the face? Which means if you’re tired it is going to show around the eyes because the eyes can get quite dry. For that, I’d recommend our beautiful Moisture Surge Eye 96-H Hydro-Filler. Now this beautiful eye treatment is filled with antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, aloe butter and activated aloe water which will leave the eyes feeling refreshed and the skin will be smooth and soft. 

Is there a trick for minimising the appearance of blemishes before a night out?

Thankfully yes, there is and my answer is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Clinical Clearing Gel. This is a clinically proven spot treatment which clears up blemishes with ingredients such as benzalkonium chloride and salicylic acid which removes dead skin cells from the skin and prevents clogged pores. You can use this product as a spot treatment the night before your special occasion. What's great about this is that it prevents blemish forming bacteria from spreading. 

If you were me, you would probably want to cover it up a little bit as well. I love using a foundation that I know will treat my skin with skincare benefits but that is also non-acnegenic. So, what I love to use is our brand new even better clinical serum foundation with SPF 20. 

Are there any particular products that work best under makeup for a glowy look?       

For a glowy look, I would always say hydration and moisture prep of the skin is key. That is the first and best way to make your skin look glowing under makeup, but if you wanted to introduce something extra into your routine, I would go with vitamin C. Vitamin C is the fastest way to get your skin look radiant. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, it speeds up cell turnover, it evens skin tone over time and retextures the skin. I love using the Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C, 10%.    

Which skincare ingredient will give me dewy skin?

Hyaluronic acid will replenish lost moisture, give your skin that bounce back and make it look plump and refreshed. Hyaluronic acid you’ll find in so many of our formulas, such as our Moisture Surge range.

My skin is super sensitive when trying new products, any tips to avoid flare ups? 

Tell me about it, I’m that person. I flare up easily and you should see me when I’m embarrassed – I go blood red! So, if you’re sensitive I would suggest using products that are dermatologist-developed, allergy tested and fragrance-free such as Clinique. Our products have undergone rigorous allergy testing so you are in good hands. Another tip is to introduce new products into your routine one by one. 

Ready to overhaul your skincare routine? Discover Clinique’s clinically-proven formulas at THE ICONIC and have beauty delivered to your door.